🕒 Created · Updated

Russia's Rassvet satellite constellation faces delays as second batch of 16 satellites fails to reach intended orbit

Russia's effort to develop a domestic satellite network as an alternative to SpaceX's Starlink has encountered a significant setback. The administration announced that all 16 satellites from the second batch of the Rassvet program, launched on July 19, failed to reach their intended operational altitudes. According to data from the Institute for the Study of War, the satellites are currently orbiting at altitudes between 300 and 400 kilometers, which is well below the target of 550 to 870 kilometers. This lower altitude subjects the satellites to greater atmospheric drag and faster fuel consumption, resulting in shorter operational lifespans. At least two of the satellites are already experiencing orbital decay and are heading toward reentry into Earth's atmosphere. The program faces a bottleneck due to its reliance on the Soyuz-2.1b rocket, a scarce asset used for only six to eight launches per year. Ukraine has further complicated the timeline by striking the Progress Space Center, the sole facility for mass-assembling Soyuz-2.1b rockets, and the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. Despite these delays, the existing Rassvet satellites provide Russian forces with connectivity windows for directing strikes and navigating drones.

Sources